Mission of the City Clerk

To provide accurate information and maximize access to municipal government.

Vision of the City Clerk

To connect all San Diegans and their City Government through greater transparency and equitable access. 

Responsibilities of the City Clerk

Diana J.S. Fuentes, City Clerk

The City Clerk has a multifaceted role within the scope of City Government. The Office of the City Clerk is the bridge between the residents of San Diego and their city government. From creating a space for residents to connect with their elected officials through City Council meeting management to managing elections and providing essential information and passport services. The Clerk also creates standards for proper records management for greater government transparency and preservation of our unique records through our Archives, Access and Preservation Program. We're dedicated to ensuring that every voice is heard and every individual has access to the resources they need. Our vision is to connect all San Diegans and their City Government through greater transparency and equitable access.

Legislative Services

The Legislative Services Division produces the Council docket and records and maintains the official minutes of the City Council meetings. It also processes notices of land use changes such as rezoning, annexations, and street work. The docket is posted outside the City Administration Building and on the City's website at www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk. It is complete with backup exhibit materials to ensure public access. Each year, Legislative Services staff process the Council's decisions, including new laws, deeds, contracts, leases, and permits.

Jennifer L. Berry, Deputy Director, 619-533-4081

Elections and Information Services

The Elections and Filing Section supports the City Clerk in coordinating and carrying out the City's municipal elections with integrity. Responsibilities include assisting officeholders, candidates, and committees in understanding procedures and requirements related to running for office and submitting initiative or referendum petitions and any potential recall efforts. It also helps file campaign statements and assist designated filers with State of Economic Interests and lobbyist registration and disclosure. The City Clerk is dedicated to easy access and transparency. All disclosure statements are available online at eFile-SD.

The Information Section acts as the initial contact for most callers and visitors to the Office of the City Clerk. They respond to thousands of requests each year and disseminate information regarding legislative actions and policy decisions to other agencies, City departments, and the public. If you have a request or question, you can call us at 619-533-4000 or via e-mail at cityclerk@sandiego.gov.

Cristina Hernandez, CMC, Deputy Director, 619-533-4024

Records Management

The Records Management Program, which has been a model nationwide, monitors the disposition of all City records from their origin and use through storage, destruction, or archival retention. 

Elements of records management include assisting departments with the preparation of their Department Retention File Plan per the Master Record Schedule, imaging, the protection of vital City records (which are sent for off-site storage in case of a local emergency or natural disaster), the storage of inactive records, cataloging official artifacts, and training and advising City departments about records management issues.

The Research Section responds to thousands of requests each year and disseminates information regarding legislative actions and policy decisions to other agencies, City departments, and the public. If you have a request or question, you can call us at 619-533-4000 or via e-mail at cityclerk@sandiego.gov.

Marc Webb, Deputy Director, 619-235-5247

Archives

The City Clerk Archives was created in 1988 to protect and preserve the City's statehood records. The City Clerk Archives section serves as a steward in preserving all legal and historical records produced by the City. Some of these records include documents, images, glass plate negatives, film, rolls, maps, registers, books, audio, microfilm, and other records.

The City Clerk Archives is responsible for preserving and protecting our legal and historical records of primary and enduring value. We strive to continually improve public access to these records, creating new methods in how we share these records with the citizens, ensuring that we shine a light on the stories of all members of our diverse community. 

Sam Ely, Program Manager, 619-236-6924

Passport Acceptance Facility

In 2013, the Office of the City Clerk became a Passport Acceptance Facility. Members of the public can visit the Passport Services website to schedule an appointment between Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please check the website for our facility's walk-in hours and location.

Cristina Hernandez, Deputy Director, 619-533-4024

Helpful Links

A quick way to access these items or websites:

• Brown Act (PDF) The language of the Ralph M. Brown Act regarding open meetings for local legislative bodies.
• California Law Access California's 29 Codes, the State Constitution, and Statutes.
• Secretary of State
• Fair Political Practices Commission
• California Bill Information Access the full text of bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments and their status, history, votes, analyses, and veto messages.